U.S. patent number 4,408,788 [Application Number 06/305,030] was granted by the patent office on 1983-10-11 for hingeable split pipe collar.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Grinnell Fire Protection Systems Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to John A. Beukema.
United States Patent |
4,408,788 |
Beukema |
October 11, 1983 |
Hingeable split pipe collar
Abstract
A split collar for use with pipe and the like including a pair
of discrete semicircular collar halves each having outwardly
extending flanges at their terminal ends, and which halves
cooperate to define an essentially circular opening. The inner
surfaces of adjacent flanges abut along their inboard portions and
then generally diverge. Aligned holes of elongated configuration
are provided in the flanges to permit securing of the halves
together in assembled relation with bolt and nut combinations or
the like. The point where the inner surfaces of adjacent flanges
commence to diverge is inboard of the inner edges of the bolt head
and nut; and, as a result, the halves may be swung to a
substantially open position after removal of one of the bolts only
and without any loosening of the other bolt.
Inventors: |
Beukema; John A. (Whitinsville,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Grinnell Fire Protection Systems
Company, Inc. (Cranston, RI)
|
Family
ID: |
23179008 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/305,030 |
Filed: |
September 23, 1981 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/419; 285/112;
285/367 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
23/08 (20130101); F16L 17/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
23/08 (20060101); F16L 17/04 (20060101); F16L
17/00 (20060101); F16L 23/00 (20060101); F16L
021/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;285/112,373,419,367,325,409 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Arola; Dave W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Salter & Michaelson
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A split collar for use with pipe and the like comprising a pair
of opposed collar halves the inner surfaces of which cooperate to
define a substantially circular opening having a central axis and
an axial plane which contains said axis, outwardly extending
flanges at each end of each of said halves, each of said flanges
having a substantially flat inner surface which abuts the adjacent
inner flange surface of the opposite half along a radial plane
extending radially outwardly from said circular opening and
substantially normal to said axial plane and which then diverges
with respect to the opposite flange inner surface, aligned holes in
said adjacent flanges, fastening means extending through said holes
and substantially parallel to said axial plane operable to clamp
said abutting inner surfaces of said adjacent flanges against each
other to maintain said halves in assembled relation, said holes
having substantial clearance inwardly and outwardly of said
fastening means in a direction generally normal to said axial
plane, the point at which said inner flange surfaces commence to
diverge being located at least as close to said circular opening as
the innermost edges of the adjacent fastening means in a direction
substantially normal to said axial plane, whereby when one of said
fastening means is completely removed, said halves may be swung
outwardly with respect to each other without loosening the other
fastening means, said outward swinging motion taking place
substantially along a fulcrum located at the point where the inner
surfaces of said still connected flanges commence to diverge.
2. In the split collar of claim 1, the inner surfaces of said
adjacent flanges diverging to define included angles of at least
50.degree..
3. In the split collar of claim 1, the fastening means for at least
one pair of said adjacent flanges comprising threaded nut and bolt
means.
4. The split collar of claim 1 further characterized in that it
functions as a pipe coupling, the inner surfaces of said halves
having channels which cooperate to define a circular inner channel
in said coupling, opposite sides of said channel being engageable
within grooves provided adjacent to the ends of sections of pipe to
be coupled.
5. In the split collar of claim 1, said aligned holes being of
elongated dimension with the elongate dimension thereof extending
outwardly from said circular opening substantially normal to said
axial plane.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to a split collar for use with pipe
and the like and more particularly to a novel split collar which is
installable on or removable from a position of engagement with one
or a pair of pipe sections simply by removing a single nut and bolt
combination used to secure the halves together.
Split collars for use with pipe and the like have heretofore been
available in various configurations for a number of applications.
One of the primary applications for split collars has been as
couplings to secure the ends of pairs of pipe sections together.
Couplings of this type have generally included an inner channel on
the arcuate inner surface thereof which is engageable with the
grooved ends of a pair of pipe sections to thereby secure the
sections together. In most instances couplings of this type have
been used in combination with ring-like elastomeric gaskets which
are positionable within the coupling around the adjoining ends of
the pipe sections to seal said ends as the gasket is compressed by
the coupling. The couplings heretofore available have primarily
been of two general types, i.e., hingeable couplings comprising a
pair of coupling halves which are permanently secured together in a
hingeable manner, and non-hingeable couplings comprising a pair of
discrete couplings halves which are detachably secured together at
their ends usually with a pair of threaded nuts and bolts.
Hingeable couplings are in most cases more convenient to use since
they generally require manipulation of only a single nut and bolt
to secure them to or remove them from a pair of pipe ends, but they
are frequently rather expensive as a result of their complex
hinging mechanisms. Further, they can only be opened from one side
since they are permanently secured together. On the other hand,
non-hingeable type couplings are relatively inexpensive but are
somewhat less convenient to use than hingeable couplings. In some
instances, the inconvenience of using a non-hingeable coupling may
be relatively insigificant involving only a few additional
manipulative steps. However, in other instances, such as when
working in confined areas, the inconvenience of using such
couplings may involve substantial amounts of unnecessary work. The
instant invention is directed to a split collar or coupling for use
with pipe and the like wherein the advantages of non-hingeable and
hingeable couplings are combined to provide a coupling which is
both relatively inexpensive and convenient to use.
Couplings representing the closest prior art of which the applicant
is aware are illustrated in the U.S. patents to NEWEL, No.
2,377,510; STILLWAGON, No. 2,449,795; BOWNE, No. 3,006,663; and
PIATEK, No. 3,054,629. These couplings generally fit into one of
the two categories of couplings described, hingeable or
non-hingeable. The instant invention is directed to a novel split
collar which combines the advantage of the previously known split
collars and couplings comprising a pair of relatively inexpensive
discrete coupling halves, which are nevertheless hingeable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention comprises a pair of collar halves which are
secured together at their terminal ends with nut and bolt
combinations or the like but are nevertheless hingeable relative to
each other upon removal of only one of said nut and bolt
combinations. The collar halves may be relatively inexpensively
made by casting in a substantially semi-circular configuration and
together they cooperate to define an essentially circular opening
for receiving a section of pipe or the adjoining ends of a pair of
pipe sections. Flanges are provided on each of the ends of the
halves and aligned bolt holes are provided in the flanges to secure
the halves together with nuts and bolts. The inner surfaces of
adjacent flanges abut for a distance and then diverge outwardly
with respect to each other to define included angles of 50.degree.
or more. The bolt holes in the flanges are of elongated
configuration and are oriented so that the elongated dimensions
thereof extend generally outwardly from the circular opening. In
addition, the point where the inner abutting surfaces commence to
diverge is at least as close to the circular opening as the inboard
edges of the bolt heads or the nuts (closeness of the respective
head or nut to the circular opening being defined by the
perpendicular projection of the head or nut into the plane of the
adjacent abutting surface rather then by a direct radial distance).
As a result of the relationship between the bolt heads or the nuts
and the divergent surfaces of the flanges, the collar halves are
hingeable relative to each other upon removal of only one of the
fastening bolt and nut combinations without having to loosen the
other bolt and nut combination. When one of the bolt and nut
combinations is removed, the collar halves are free to pivot on a
fulcrum which is substantially at the point where the inner
surfaces of the still connected adjacent flanges commence to
outwardly diverge and since the bolt holes are of elongated
section, the necessary clearance is provided so that the collar
halves may hingedly move without binding on the unloosened bolt
shank.
As a result of the relatively simple configuration of the collar
halves, they may easily be cast of suitable materials and do not
require machining prior to use. Consequently, the coupling of the
instant invention can be manufactured substantially more
economically than the hingeable couplings previously known. In
light of this, the coupling of the instant invention represents a
substantial improvement in the art which has significant commercial
advantages over those couplings previously known.
It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide a
split collar for use with pipe or the like which includes a pair of
discrete collar halves which are secured together with nut and bolt
combinations at their terminal ends but which are hingeable
relative to each other upon removal of one of said nut and bolt
combinations.
Another object of the instant invention is to provide a hingeable
split collar construction which is economical to manufacture.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall
become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered
in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split collar made in accordance
with the instant invention embodied as a pipe coupling securing the
adjoining ends of a pair of pipe sections together;
FIG. 2 illustrates the coupling of FIG. 1 in open position;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the coupling-pipe
assembly;
FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a pair of
adjacent coupling flanges with one of the nut and bolt combinations
used for securing the coupling halves together;
FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the coupling per se; and
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the coupling in the open position
illustrating the hinging of the two halves thereof to provide
clearance for insertion over or removal from a section of pipe or
the like with an elastomeric gasket positioned thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, the split collar of the instant
invention embodied as a pipe coupling is illustrated generally at
10. As will be noted, the coupling 10 comprises a pair of opposed
coupling halves generally indicated at 12 which are secured
together in assembled relation with threaded bolts 14 having heads
15 and threaded nuts 16 whereby the halves 12 cooperate to adjoin
the ends of a pair of pipe sections 18 and 20 together in abutting
or slightly spaced relation.
The inner configuration of each of the halves 12 is substantially
semicircular so that the halves 12 together in assembled relation
define a substantially circular opening 21 for receiving the
adjoining ends of the pipe sections 18 and 20.
As will be seen particularly from FIGS. 2 and 6, in order to adjoin
the ends of the sections 18 and 20, circumferential channels 22
having circumferential shoulder portions 24 which culminate in
circumferential key sections 26 are provided on the inner surfaces
of the halves 12. Circumferential grooves 28 and 30 are provided on
the pipe sections 18 and 20, respectively, spaced inwardly from
their respective terminal ends and defining terminal rims 32 and 34
on said pipe sections. The sections 18 and 20 are secured together
with key sections 26 engaging within the grooves 28 and 30 as at 35
and 36, respectively, to adjoin said sections 18 and 20 in slightly
spaced or abutting relation. A ring-like gasket 37 made of a
suitable flexible gasket material such as rubber or the like and
having lips 38 and 39 which define a compressible inner channel 40
is mounted within the channel 22 in engagement with the rims 32 and
34. As the halves 12 are secured together, the gasket 37 is
compressed between the channel 22 and the rims 32 and 34 to thereby
provide the desired sealing between the sections 18 and 20. In
actual operation fluid pressures within the channel 40 further
effect this sealing by causing further pressurized engagement of
the lips 38 and 39 with the rims 32 and 34.
Outwardly extending flanges 42 are provided at the terminal ends of
each of the halves 12. As will be seen, the inboard portions of the
inner surfaces of the flanges 42 form abutting surfaces 44 which
extend substantially diametrically from the circular opening 21.
The inner surfaces of the flanges 42 then commence to diverge at
fulcrums 46 to form outwardly divergent surfaces 48. The outer
surfaces 50 of the flanges 42 are substantially parallel to the
abutting surfaces 44 with aligned bolt holes 52 of elongated
configuration being provided in the flanges 42 to secure them
together. As will be seen, the bolt holes 52 are oriented so that
the elongated dimensions thereof extend generally outwardly from
the circular opening 21. The halves 12 then are securable together
in assembled relation with the bolts 14 extending through the holes
52 in adjacent flanges 42 and then being secured by the nuts 16.
Preferably, the bolts 14 are "track" type bolts having oblong step
shanks 54 which are receivable in the holes but it is understood
that other suitable bolts or other fastening means could be
used.
In order to allow the two halves 12 to hinge or pivot relative to
each other, the holes 52 and the fulcrums 46 must be properly
positioned to allow said halves 12 to pivot on the fulcrums 46
without applying an extending force to the adjacent bolt 14. In
this connection it is essential that the inboard edges of the
adjacent head 15 or nut 16 be no closer to the circular opening 21
than the adjacent fulcrums 46 (closeness of the adjacent head 15 or
nut 16 to the opening 21 as herein used being defined by the radial
distance in the plane of the adjacent surface 44 between the
opening 21 and a normal projection of the inboard edge of the
adjacent head 15 or nut 16 into said plane rather than a direct
radial distance between said opening 21 and the inboard edge of the
head 15 or nut 16). While it is understood that the coupling 10 can
be constructed with the fulcrums 46 disposed further inwardly
toward said circular opening 21, the fulcrums 46 must be at least
as close to said opening 21 as the inboard edges of the adjacent
head 15 or nut 16. With the fulcrums 46 disposed in this manner,
the halves 12 may be hinged or pivoted relative to each other
simply by removing one of the bolts 14 and it mating nut 16 from
one pair of the adjacent flanges 42 without loosening the nut 16
and bolt 14 on the other pair of adjacent flanges 42. As will be
seen, when the halves 12 are pivoted relative to each other, they
pivot substantially on the fulcrums 46 adjacent to the remaining
bolt 14 and since said fulcrums 46 are at least as close to the
circular opening 21 as the inboard edges of the head 15 or nut 16
adjacent thereto, this pivoting is possible without causing an
extending or stretching force to be applied on the remaining bolt
14. In addition, it is important that the holes 52 be of elongated
section and oriented so that the elongated dimension thereof extend
generally outwardly. In this manner sufficient clearance is
provided so that the unloosened bolt 14 does not bind in its
respective holes 52 as the halves 12 are pivoted. Finally, as will
be seen most clearly from FIG. 8, the halves 12 must be free to
pivot or open a sufficient amount to permit insertion over and/or
removal from the pipe sections 18 and 20 when the gasket 37 is in
place. The amount of relative pivotal movement of the halves 12 is
determined substantially by the included angle defined by the
divergent surfaces 48. In this connection it has been determined
that in most instances a divergent included angle of at least
50.degree. is necessary. It is understood, however, that while the
surfaces 48 in the embodiment herein disclosed are defined
generally by divergent planes, other configurations of the surfaces
48, such as divergent arcuate surfaces or the like may be
possible.
It is seen therefore, that the instant invention provides a novel
split collar or coupling construction which is easily suitable for
economical mass production. The coupling halves may easily be cast
from suitable materials and do not require expensive machining in
their manufacture. The couplings do, however, have the substantial
advantages over the two-piece split collars or couplings previously
known in that the halves thereof are pivotable or hingeable
relative to one another simply by removing a single nut and bolt,
and without loosening the other nut and bolt.
While there is shown and described herein certain specific
structure embodying this invention, it will be manifest to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of
the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not
limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except
insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *